Penny auction to benefit class trip

NEWMARKET — An autographed Red Sox baseball, a round trip on Amtrak and a ski package are among the goodies up for grabs at the Newmarket Junior/Senior High School penny auction to be held March 29.

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By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe

seacoastonline.com

By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe

Posted Mar. 25, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Lisa Tetrault-Zhe

Posted Mar. 25, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

NEWMARKET — An autographed Red Sox baseball, a round trip on Amtrak and a ski package are among the goodies up for grabs at the Newmarket Junior/Senior High School penny auction to be held March 29.

The annual event is a fund-raiser for the eighth-grade class trip to Washington D.C. in May.

"I love that it's not just parents of eighth grade students who attend, but it's a community-wide event," said organizer Amanda Perkins, eighth-grade math teacher. "People love it, they look forward to it."

The halls of NJSHS will be lined with the goodies. Participants will purchase raffle tickets (100 tickets for $1 with a $5 minimum) and place them in the bag of the item they wish to win. At 6 p.m. the "bidding" will close and a name will be drawn for each prize, Perkins explained.

While the eighth-grade staff (Perkins and Stacy Perkins, language arts teacher) did the solicitations for donations, students were involved in the process by writing thank you notes. In addition, several parents donated items, including a Lindt chocolate basket.

Students involved in the event have definite opinions about which prize they most covet.

"I think the signed Red Sox baseball is the best," said eighth-grade student Lance Lavoie.

"I hope we get a lot of people," said eighth-grade student Makenzie Robinson. "It's an important cause, to support our trip to Washington D.C."

Funds raised help offset the cost for students to go on the trip. They've had several fund-raisers throughout the school year, such as the chili/chowder challenge and volunteering at water stops for the Great Bay Half Marathon, but the penny auction is their biggest. They also designed T-shirts to sell for their class.

Those students who are unable to attend the trip to the capital take several day-long field trips, according to Lavoie.

According to Perkins, for some students the trip in May will be their first to the nation's capital.

"From a math teacher's perspective, the trip is important for students as it's a chance to experience being away from home and their parents," Perkins, who serves as one of the chaperones, said. "For many people, the only time they'll visit Washington D.C. is in their eighth-grade class trip."

Robinson and Alvarado agreed they are eager for the trip.

"This will be my first time to Washington, D.C.," said Robinson. "I'm excited to see all the monuments."

The penny auction will be held March 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. At 6 p.m. they will announce winners. Other prizes this year include New Hampshire Fisher Cat tickets; Manchester Monarchs tickets; movie 6-pack to the Music Hall in Portsmouth; 4 VIP admission tickets to 5 Wits (adventure package) at Patriot Place; after-work billiards party at Jillian's/Lucky Strike (Boston); 2 lift tickets to Pat's Peak (Henniker); custom Mary Kay baskets; and multiple gift cards to local restaurants. Tickets are 100 for $1 with a $5 minimum purchase.